Abstract:

Objective: This aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between activity, participation and quality of life in the elderly living at home. Methods: This study was applied to 120 elderly people (60 females, average age: 71.4±5.3 years; 60 males, average age: 70.8±4.7 years, ranged between 65-83 years) aged 65 years and older and living at their home in Ankara and Antalya. The community participation levels were assessed with World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, Second Version (WHO-DAS-II). Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to evaluate the activity performance of participants. The elderly's quality of life levels were assessed with Health Survey Questionnaire Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results: The important daily living activities of participants in which they had problems were: Cooking (n=52), shopping (n=48), having a shower (n=38) and praying (salaat) (n=37). According to the results of WHO-DAS-II, COPM and SF-36, there were no statistical differences between gender groups (p>0.05). There was a moderate significant negative correlation between the sub-scores of COPM and the total score of WHO-DAS-II (p<0.05). Also, There was a weak-strong significant negative correlation between all sub-parameters of SF-36 and WHO-DAS-II total score and community participation sub-parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that the community participation of elderly people living in the home increased with the increase in their activity performance, and their quality of life increased with their increased community participation. Future studies should be designed to investigate the effects of environmental factors and different living conditions on activity, participation and quality of life of elderly individuals.